# The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, chapter 44: Judah 9

Source: https://enocharchive.com/books/the-testaments-of-the-twelve-patriarchs/44 (Enoch Archive, public-domain translation).

**44:1** Eighteen years we abode at peace, our father and we, with his brother Esau, and his sons with us, after that we came from Mesopotamia, from Laban.

**44:2** And when eighteen years were fulfilled, in the fortieth year of my life, Esau, the brother of my father, came upon us with much people and strong; and he fell by the bow of Jacob, and was taken up dead in Mount Seir: even as he went above Iramna was he slain.

**44:3** And we pursued after the sons of Esau. Now they had a city with walls of iron and gates of brass; and we could not enter into it, and we encamped around, and besieged them.

**44:4** And when they opened not to us after twenty days, I set up a ladder in the sight of all, and with my shield upon my head I climbed up, assailed with stones of three talents’ weight; and I climbed up, and slew four who were mighty among them.

**44:5** And the next day Reuben and Gad entered in and slew sixty others.

**44:6** Then they asked from us terms of peace; and being aware of our father’s purpose, we received them as tributaries.

**44:7** And they gave us two hundred cors of wheat, five hundred baths of oil, fifteen hundred measures of wine, until we went down into Egypt.

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